Window fastener construction



June 24, 1958 HEHR WINDOW FASTENER CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. 5, 1956 United States Patent 2,840,202 WINDOW FASTENER CONSTRUCTION Elmer T. Hehr, Pasadena, Calif.

Application September 5, 1956, Serial No. 608,072 7 Claims. (Cl. 189-75) The present invention relates generally to window 2,840,202 Patented June 24, 1958 rangement employing the fastening arrangement of this frame fastening arrangements, and relates more particularly to such fastening arrangements wherein means are carried by a portion of the window frames 'or surrounding structure for permanently securing the frames in position in a wall section or the like.

When installing window frames, and particularly when fitting prefabricated types of window frames, serious problems have long existed relative to the methods for permanently securing these frames in place. It has been one usual practice to construct the window frames from individual components and to secure each of'these components to a wall section as the frame is built up. Such a construction, presents little difiiculty from a securing standpoint, but Through use of prefabricated frame sections that are adapted for insertion into opposite sides of an opening in a wall section, considerable time is saved in the installation thereof. However, in order to secure these prefabricated frames permanently in position in a wall opening, it has heretofore been necessary to employ fastening means such as nails, screws, and the like, that not only required considerable time for the installation but also detracted from theuninterrupted and smooth exterior appearance of the frame garnish.

Several attempts have been made heretofore in efforts to solve the fastening problems associated with the installation of prefabricated window frames. These attempts have taken the form of complex mechanical structures, many of which required the use of specially constructed openings in wall sections. The many components used in prior structures have necessarily made these structures expensive and have increased the possibilities that one or more of the components would be inoperative or poorly constructed. With increasing costs-of construction labor, it is extremely important that installation time be reduced to a minimum commensurate with quality construction and reliable fastening means.

It is therefore one important object of the present invention to provide an improved fastening means for window frames.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel window frame fastening arrangement wherein very Sim-- ple, reliable, eflicient, and inexpensive fastening means are employed. g a

Another object of the invention is to provide improved is time-consuming and expensive...

invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing the present fastening arrangement,'taken substantialr 1y as indicated by the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing a modified form of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Figs. 2 and 3, showing the fastening means of this invention as applied to one simplified frame element; and

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view showing one form of clip means employed with the forms of the invention shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

1 With reference to the drawing, and with reference primarily to Fig. 1 thereof, a portion of a window frame structure is shown which includes a generally rectangular outer frame member 10 that is adapted for disposition within an opening 11 in a wall section 12. The wall section 12 has an outer surface 13 and an inner surface 14.

g The frame member 10 is adapted to provide a peripheral means for securing a window frame to the wall forming support for a glass pane 15 which may, in turn, be mounted in a resilient-mounting and sealing structure 16, disposed thereabout.

The frame member 10' may comprise a rectangular integral structure or may be made from suitable sections that are joined at corners thereof. As shown, the frame member 10 of Figs. 1 and 2 comprises an integral structure that may be formed as by extruding aluminum, or the like. The exposed surfaces of the member 10 are formed with upper and lower portions 17 and 18 respectively, with each of these portions having suitable garnish or ornamentation thereon. The portion 17, at the upper free edge thereof, has a groove 20 in which the resilient sealing member 16 is adapted for disposition. A base portion 21 extends along the bottom of the groove 20 and inwardly therefrom, while an extension portion 22 is disposed at a right angle from the portion 21 to define a side of the groove 20. A free edge of the portion 22 is suitably rounded to provide a bead as at 23 that is adapted for engagement with an inner surface of the pane 15..

p The frame member 10 further includes a sill portion 24 that is integrally disposed from the portions 17 and 18;atthe junction thereof and extends substantially normal thereto. A lip 25 is provided along a free edge of the sill portion 24. The sill portion 24 is further provided with an area of increased thickness as at 26, and an outer'surface 27 of the sill 24 is provided with a plurality'of-saw-tooth-shaped grooves or serrations 28 that are disposed in the area 26 and directed toward the por: tions' 17 and 18. It is to be noted that the .portion .18 of the member 10 has a free edge 30 that is adapted for contact with the outer surface 13 of the wall section 12 and that the portion 18, as well as the sill 24, is disposed in spaced relationship to both theouter surface 13 and the opening 11. -The grooves 28 may either be in the form of longitudinally spaced groups thereof or be continuous throughout the'length of the frame member sections. present instance, the grooves 28 are provided in spaced groups forcooperation with a plurality of clips indicated generally at 32 and shown in detail in Fig. 5.

With reference primarily to Figs. 2 and 5, the clips 32 are preferably made from a resilient metallic material and include a relatively flat body portion 33 having a lip 34 along one edge thereof. Thelip 34 is disposed at substantially a right angle to the body 33. The .edge 35 of the end of the body 33 remote from the lip 34 is formed'outwardly in a direction opposite from the direc-. tion'of extension of the lip 34 and at an obtuse angle In the As shown in Fig. 2, a plurality of clips 32 are secured to the Wall section 12 as by nails 38, or the like, that are positioned through the openings 37 in the clips. The position of the clips along an edge of the wall section opening 11 isdetermined by the position and longitudinal spacing of the groups of parallel grooves 28. When in position, the lip 34 is" adapted to contact the outer surface 13 of the wall section 12, and the body 33 'of the clip is positioned in contact with the peripheral surfaces of the openingll The edges 35 of the clips project outwardly from the surfaces of the opening 11 from end' parts of the clips that form an acute angle therewith. The prongs 36 are adapted for insertion into the material of the wall section and together with'the lip 34 serve to prevent any rotational movement of the clips about the nails 38;

Thus itmay be seen that the free e'dge's 35 of the clips are positioned for cooperation with one oranother of the parallel grooves 28 in the sill portion 24 of the frame member 10. The frame member is thereby retained in apermanent position within the wall opening 11 by this means, and the plurality ofgrooves 28 permit use of thewindow frame fastening arrangement with a variety of wallthicknesses. Additionally, the portion 18 of the frame member is resilient, being adapted for slight deformation to exert a biasing action and to maintain the edgesof the clips in tight permanent contact with one or another of the grooves 28.

Withfurther reference to the form of the invention shown in Fig. 2, a trim strip 40 is disposed over the surface of the wall opening 11 adjacent the inner surface 14 thereof. This trim strip includes an inwardly extending portion 41 and an outwardly disposed flange portion 42, there being screws 43 disposed through suitable openings in the portion 42 for securing the strip to the wall section-l1. It isto be noted that the inwardly extending portion 41 of the trim strip has a free end that is disposed between the free end of the frame member sill portion 24 and the surface of the opening 11.. The structure illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 is particularly suited for fixed type Windows with permanent glass panes therein.

With reference to the form of the invention shown in Fig. 3, this form of window frame fastening arrangement is primarily suited for use with windows of the type having movable glass panes, screens,or the like. In this'form of the invention, a frame member is indicated generally at and includes a sill portion 51 having a thickened area as at 52'with a plurality of-grooves 53 formed in one side thereof; A resilient outer flange portion54 is formed integrally withthe sill portion 51 and has a free end 55 that is adapted for engagement with an groove 67 in a pane-supporting frame 68. The outer surface of the frame 68 is suitably contoured for adjacent disposition and cooperation with the outer surface of the flange portion 54 of the frame member 50 to provide a smooth external appearance when the window is closed. The member 68 is further provided with an elongated rib 70 that is adapted for cooperation with the ribs 61 on the member 50, to provide a labyrinth type seal against the passage of wind and moisture when the window is in a closed position. Additional strength for the extrusion forming the member 68 is gained by provision of an inwardly rolled portion 71 and a longitudinal bead 72.

It may be seen that the window frame 50 may be prefabricated with the pane 65 and frame 68 hingedly attached thereto, and that it is thereafter only necessary to install a plurality of spaced clips 32 and to insert the prefabricated structure into the opening 63 in the wall section 57 for permanent installation of the window and secure fastening within the opening. If desired, the trim strip 40 may also be used with the form of the invention shown in Fig. 3.

With reference now to the form of the invention shown in Fig. 4, a simplified formof frame member 80 is illustrated that is similar to the form of the invention shown in Fig. 3. The frame member 80 includes an outer flange portion 81 and an inner flange portion 82 that are interconnected by means of an integral sill portion 83. The outer surface84 of the sill portion 83 is provided with a plurality of outwardly disposed parallel projections or ribs 85 which define saw-tooth-shaped grooves therebetween. The frame member 80 is adapted for disposition in an opening 86 in a wall section 87 that has an outer surface 88.

A plurality of clips 90, corresponding to the number of longitudinally spaced groups of ribs 85, are attached to the 'wall section 87 as by suitable nails 91, there being flange portions 92 on the clips'that are adapted to overlie the outer surface 88 of the wall section 87, and free bent-up ends 93 that are adapted for engagement with the grooves formed by the ribs 85. Similar sets of clips and grooves are arranged on all sides of the frame member. In assembly of the frame member 80 into the wall section 87, aresilient compressible sealing strip 94 is'disposed between the flange portion 81 and the outer surface 88 of the wall section 87, with a portion of the sealing strip overlying the flange portions 92 of the clips '90;

It is to be noted that the clips lie on the same side of the window wall as the frame member that is provided with the serrations. For this reason, 'when the outer surface of thewall is fiat, only one serration is outer surface 56 of a wall section 57. The frame 50 further has an inwardly extending portion 58 disposed adjacent a free end of the sill portion 51-, there being a lip formed on this free end of the sill. A pair-of ribs 61 extend from adjacent, sides of the sill 51 and the por tion 58, and the inner free end of the portion.58 is provided with a U-shaped configuration as at 62 for receiving the edge of an insect screen 63.

The clips 32 are utilized to retain the frai'ne50 in a V permanent position within an opening 64 in the wall necessary to provide the desired locking action. In this case, the serrations on each side of the wall frame are collinear, and all the serrations lie in a plane parallel to the'plane of the frame. Theserrations may be in the form of a single groove having, in effect, spaced groovedefining sections or parts that are engaged by the respective clips.

It may thus be seen that a simple, easily and rapidly installed, and efficient window frame fastening arrangement is provided. The arrangement hereof also presents an attractive appearance and permanently retains thev frame members in the openings provided in wall sections.

Although only a limited number of particular forms of this invention have been specifically described herein in detail, it Will be obvious thatthe invention is not limited thereto, but is capable of .a Wide variety of mechanical embodiments. Accordingly, various changes which will now suggest themselves to those skilled in the art may he rnade in the material, form, details of construction, and arrangement of the elements without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims:

The invention claimed is:

1. In a fastening arrangement for permanently securing a Window frame structure in an opening in a wall section, peripheral surfaces of said opening being disposed substantially normal to opposite, substantially parallel side surfaces of said wall section: an integral flange forming one portion of said frame structure, said flange being disposed for engagement with one of said side surfaces of said wall section; a sill forming another integralportion of said frame structure; a plurality of groove sections disposed in spaced relationship in an outer peripheral surface of said sill portion of said frame structure; and a plurality of clips carried by said peripheral surfaces of said opening, said clips having free end portions disposed at an acute angle relative to said peripheral surfaces of said opening, an edge of each of said free end portions being adapted for engagement with one of said groove sections. Y

2. In a fastening arrangement for permanently securing a window frame structure in an opening in a wall section, peripheral surfaces of said opening being disposed substantially normal to opposite, substantially parallel side surfaces of said wall section: an integral flange forming one portion of said frame structure, said flange being disposed for engagement with one of said side surfaces of said wall section; a sill forming another integral portion of said frame structure; a plurality of groove sections disposed in spaced relationship in an outer peripheral surface of said sill portion of said frame structure; a plurality of clips carried by said peripheral surfaces of said opening, said clips having free end portions disposed at an acute angle relative to said peripheral surfaces of said opening, an edge of each said free end portion being adapted for engagement with one of said groove sections; and flange means on said clips, said flange means being adapted to engage said one side surface of said wall section between said frame member flange and said one side surface.

3. In a fastening arrangement for permanently securing a Window frame structure in an opening in a wall section, peripheral surfaces of said opening being disposed substantially normal to opposite, substantially parallel side surfaces of said wall section: an integral flange form ing one portion of said frame structure, said flange being disposed for engagement with one of said side surfaces of said wall section; a sill forming another integral portion ofsaid frame structure; a plurality of parallel sawtooth-shaped grooves disposed in spaced, longitudinally disposed groups in an outer peripheral surface of said sill portion of said frame structure; a plurality of clips secured to and carried by said peripheral surfaces of said opening, said clips having free end portions disposed at an acute angle relative to said peripheral surfaces of said opening, the edge of each said free end portion being adapted for engagement with one of said grooves; flange means on said clips, said flange means being adapted to engage said one side surface of said wall section between said frame member flange and said one side surface; and integral groove means for mounting a glass pane in said frame structure.

4. In a fastening arrangement for permanently securing a window frame structure in an opening in a wall section, peripheral surfaces of said opening being disposed substantially normal to opposite, substantially parallel side surfaces of said wall section: an integral flange forming one portion of said frame structure, said flange being disposed for engagement with one of said side surfaces of said Wall section; a sill forming another integral portion of said frame structure; a plurality of parallel saW-tooth-shaped grooves disposed in spaced, longitudinally disposed groups in an outer peripheral surface of said sill portion of said frame structure; a plurality of clips secured to and carried by said peripheral surfaces of said opening, said clips having free end portions disposed at an acute angle relative to said peripheral surfaces of said opening, an edge of each said free end portion being adapted for engagement with one of'said grooves; flange means on said clips, said flange means being adapted to engage said one side surface of said wall section between said frame member flange and said one side surface; integral groove means for mounting a glass pane in said frame structure; and a plurality of prongs struck from said clips and adapted for disposition into parts of said wall forming peripheral surfaces of said opening.

5. In a fastening arrangement for permanently securing a window frame structure in an opening in a Wall section, peripheral surfaces of said opening being disposed substantially normal to opposite, substantially parallel side surfaces of said wall section: an integral flange forming one portion of said frame structure, said flange being disposed for engagement with one of said I at an acute angle relative to said peripheral surfaces of said opening, an edge of each said free end portion being adapted for engagement with one of said grooves; and flange means on said clips, said flange means being adapted to engage said one side surface of said wall section between said frame member flange and said one side surface.

6. In a fastening arrangement for permanently securing a window frame structure in an opening in a Wall section, peripheral surfaces of said opening being disposed substantially normal to opposite, substantiallyparallel side surfaces of said wall section: an integral flange forming one portion of said frame structure, said flange being disposed for engagement with one of said side surfaces of said wall section; a sealing strip disposed between said flange and said one side surface; a sill forming another integral portion of said frame structure; a plurality of parallel grooves disposed in spaced, longitudinally disposed groups in an outer peripheral surface of said sill portion of said frame structure; a plurality of clips carried by said peripheral surfaces of said opening, said clips having resilient free end portions disposed at an acute angle relative to said peripheral surfaces of said opening, an edge of each said free end portion being adapted for engagement with one of said grooves; flange means on said clips, said flange means being adapted to engage said one side surface of said wall section between said frame member flange and said one side surface; and a plurality of prongs struck from said clips and adapted for disposition into parts of said Wall section forming peripheral surfaces of said opening.

7. In a fastening arrangement for permanently securing a window frame structure in an opening in a wall section, peripheral surfaces of said opening being disposed substantially normal to opposite, substantially parallel side surfaces of said wall section: an integral flange forming one portion of said frame structure, said flange being disposed for engagement with one of said side surfaces of said wall section; a sealing strip disposed between said flange and said one side surface; a sill forming another integral portion of said frame structure; a plurality of parallel saW-tooth-shaped grooves disposed in spaced, longitudinally disposed groups in an outer peripheral surface of said sill portion of said frame structure; a plurality of clips secured to and carried by said peripheral surfaces of said opening, said clips having resilient free end portions disposed at an acute angle relative to said peripheral surfaces of said opening, an edge of each said free end portion being adapted for engagement with one of said grooves; flange means on 7 a said clips, said flange means being adapted to engage said References Cited in the file of this patent one side surface of said wall section between said frame 7 member flange and said one side surface; integral groove UNITE? STATES PATENTS 7 means for mounting a glass pane in said frame struc- 1,570,351 Hultln J 9, 1926 ture; and a plurality of prongs struck from said clips and 5 I adapted for disposition into parts of said wall section v FOREIGN PATENTS forming peripheral surfaces of said opening. 91 5 89 Germany May 1954 

